Academic Sidewinding

Illinois State University/Merit Based Tuition Waiver

GPA, 3.65/4.0
2001-2003

Education

Master of Science, Art Therapy Concentration
Illinois State University
2001-2003

Bachelor of Fine Art, Fiber and Graphic Design Majors
Eastern Michigan University
1986

Research

Graduate studies concentrated on post-traumatic stress, and the symptoms and comorbid disorders that can occur in individuals after experiencing trauma. Focus was on self-concept, identity, and the emotional and psychological effects of trauma. Gathered was research data, in part, from academic internship experiences with the severely clinically disordered adolescent, and the depressed young adult. Pertinent research data was also gathered from professional academic journals and books, and academic seminars.

Utilized were projective assessment tools, rating scales, and art/therapeutic interventions with the traumatized population.

Interests are in community based programs that encourage
empowerment of the individual through the arts. Thesis project involved
the assessment, study, and documentation of the symbolic language of
sexual abuse in women. Plans are to use this information in clinical practice for the clinically diagnosed individual exhibiting borderline, depressive, dissociative, and somatic tendencies. Future research includes the development of assessment and intervention tools designed for the intervention of trauma related disorders, and the reduction of dysfunctional symptoms in clients who have experienced trauma.

Research into effective counseling for the adult survivor of childhood abuse, and the trauma experienced from cultural uprooting are also professional interests. The dreaming mind, and symbolic dream content are a part of my academic and professional study.

Continuing Education

Annual Women's Advocacy Training

A womens' advocacy training seminar for counselors, therapists,
domestic abuse workers, and social workers. This seminar increased empathy and understanding about domestic violence, and the human rights
of the survivor of domestic violence.
Illinois Coalition Against Violence Training Institute
Springfield, Illinois
March 3-4, 2004

Toward the Light, Art Therapy in the Healing Process

An art therapy conference with topics covering various clinical
assessments and intervention plans for the traumatized individual.

Illinois Art Therapy Association’s 23rd Annual Conference
The C. G. Jung Institute of Chicago
Evanston, Illinois
September 14, 2002

Classroom Research and Exploration on Learning

Conducted classroom research with Parkland College colleagues;
studied were the dynamics of student motivation, the levels and types of learning, and individual learning responses from students.

Parkland College
Champaign, Illinois
Spring 1998

Published Manuscripts

Research Intended for Publication

Integrated Identities with Self-Portrait Collage and Dream Analysis:
A Pilot Study; Unpublished research project studying trauma, and the levels
of self-concept in the sexually traumatized individual.
January, 2004

Published Academic Writing

Focus on Learning through Classroom Feedback
A manual for teachers of higher education containing classroom research data, conducted on site, in my classroom.
Parkland College, Champaign, Illinois.
May, 1999

Art Therapy Experience

Art Therapy Consultant

Bloomington, Illinois

Art therapy consultant to
Liz Acevedo-Alstrum, LCPC; currently working with the traumatized Hispanic population.
January, 2004

Easter Seals

Timber Pointe Center
Hudson, Illinois

Implemented successful expressive arts therapies for the physically challenged; goal was empowerment within a two week framework.
July, 2003

Child Therapist/Art Therapist

Youth Villages
Nashville/Memphis, Tennessee
Use of verbal and art therapies, individually and in groups, to help stabilize the child trauma population.
2004 to 2007

 

Adjunct Art Therapist

The Ranch, Nunnelly, Tennessee

• Art therapy utilizing art and the creative process for adults in recovery from eating disorders, alcohol and substance abuse.
• Arts curriculum development and use of therapeutic group process.
• Conducted art therapy sessions focusing on underlying issues of addiction and to build resilience to better cope with everyday life.

April 2005 - December 2005

Adjunct Art Therapist

New Hope Lodge, Cancer Society of Nashville Tennessee

• The art therapy sessions were conducted in an open studio environment.
• Creative arts sessions included body and mind connection activities.
• Conducted art therapy sessions focusing on underlying issues of cancer and to build resilience to better cope with everyday life.

April 2005 - December 2005

 

Current/Recreational/Art Therapist
Pittsburgh, PA
Utilizing recreational and art therapies for the elderly depressed populations, including various DSM disordered populations.

May 2008 to Present

Civic Activities

The Dreamer's Workshop of Champaign-Urbana

As founder and group facilitator for this popular dream study group,
my implementation of scientific inquiries and expressive arts into dream study produced positive group cohesiveness, and served as a social and educational outlet for community members.
The Channing-Murray Foundation
Urbana, Illinois
1999-2004

Sacred Selves: The Self as Sanctuary

A workshop conducted on the expressive arts and spirituality.

The Channing-Murray Foundation
Urbana, Illinois

Fall, 2003

Board Member

The Channing-Murray Foundation
Urbana, Illinois

1 year term, 1999

Professional Presentations and Instruction

Art Therapy Presentation

Presented the integral elements of art therapy within
the social work environment with Liz Acevedo-Alstrum, LCPC.

The Children’s Foundation
Bloomington, Illinois
April 2003

Graduate Seminar in Art History

The topics of art history and film were co-taught with
Barry Blinderman, Director, University Galleries.

Center for Visual Arts, Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois
Fall Semester, 2002

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Assisted faculty with classroom activities, proctoring, and class rosters.

Center for Visual Arts, Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois

Fall Semester, 2001

Part-Time Faculty

Experience was in teaching design and art production skills
to community college students.

Department of Fine Art, Parkland College
Champaign, Illinois

Spring/Fall Semesters, 1997;
Spring Semester,1998

Assessment/DSM-IV Experience

Utilized regularly in my art therapy practice are the projective art assessments.

The following clinical art assessments are used: the Kinetic Family Drawing (KFD); Bird's Nest Drawing (BND); Kinetic House-Tree-Person (KHTP); House-Tree-Person (HTP), Draw-a-Person Test (DAP); A Favorite Kind of Day (AFKD); Diagnostic Art Interview; and the Belief Art Therapy Assessment (BATA). Utilized where appropriate are a list of culturally pertinent interviewing questions that are designed for the traumatized, culturally uprooted, and immigrant/refugee population. This culturally sensitive interviewing approach is within a psychodynamic and family systems framework.

Clinical treatments and interventions for DSM-IV disorders include the use of art therapy that is combined within cognitive-behavioral, psychoeducational, psychodynamic, rational emotive, reality, and humanistic frameworks.

Experience has been in the treatment of the clinically diagnosed DSM-IV disordered population. Treatment plans were formulated and administered
for the following disorders: major depression, dysthymic, oppositional, anxiety, attention hyperactive deficit, post-traumatic stress, borderline, and various substance use disorders.